Addiction And LGBTQ

Addiction And The Lgbtq Community

LGBTQ community has alarmingly higher numbers of substance abuse and addiction that any other group. Co-occurring disorders, discrimination and pressure from society are some of the possible triggers that push this group to drug use. The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer or LGBTQ community are confronted by several challenges that contribute to a higher than usual addiction rate. Treatment facilities that cater specifically to sensitive needs of the LGBTQ community work on any underlying issues that may contribute to the addiction. This can be crucial for the rehabilitation process.

While 9 percent of the general population suffers from substance abuse, it's estimated that it affects between 20-30 percent of the LGBTQ community.

Problems The Lgbtq Community Faces

The LGBTQ unit is dependent on drug misuse at a very higher rate than that of the entire public.

This is partly due to several obstacles imposed by society that they face nearly on a day to day basis that are typically not faced by heterosexual individuals.

LGBTQ community members will thus often seek refuge in alcohol or other substances to distance themselves from everyday challenges and obstacles. Depression, anger, anxiety, and fear can all be numbed temporarily with these substances.

Some of these obstacles are:

Stigmatization and discrimination due to their sexual orientation

They are usually threatened, humiliated, ridiculed, and subjected to other emotional stress

After making their sexual orientation public, they are turned down by their loved ones

There is the problem of inequality at work, loss of employment and not receive pay rises

Internal homophobia or self hate

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Common Disorders Among The Lgbtq Community

Having to live a closet life is one aspect that often causes internal conflict for LGBTQ community members. They often lead a double life in regards to their sexual orientation as they hide their sexuality for fear of judgement. Psychological or emotional disorders and illness can come as a consequence of mental suffering that is a big part of hiding your true nature.

The usual mental or emotional disorders within the LGBTQ group include:

Major depression

General anxiety disorder

Great levels of stress

They may inflict self-injury on themselves or kill themselves

Along with the societal issues they have to deal with, LGBTQ individuals could also physical and health issues that relate to their sexuality. These can also increase the risk for addiction and include:

Uncontrollable sexual behaviour

Sexual disorder

Anxiety related to sex or HIV

Sexual abuse or assault

A good number of individuals who identify as LGBTQ have a co-occurring psychological or sexual illness that either brings about drug ill-use issue or upholding this misuse. To successfully overcome an addiction, the first step is to identify whether the addict has some co-occurring health problems when planning a program that will help an LGBTQ overcome his addiction.

Commonly Used Substances Within Lgbtq Community

Even though most of the drugs can be dependent, there are five that are ill-used more often in the LGBTQ group.

Tobacco

When compared to those who identify as Heterosexual, the LGBTQ community uses tobacco up to 200 percent more.

Alcohol

Their addiction to alcohol is between average to serious in about 20 to 25% of the group.

Marijuana

Gay men are 3.5 times more probable to exploit Cannabis than heterosexual males.

Amphetamines

The likelihood that they will use Amphetamines multiplies 12.2 times.

Heroin

LGBTQ community members are likely to use Heroin 9.5 times more than straight people.

Lgbtq Treatment Centres

Since their case is unique and they don't have the right tools to help them out, most of them prefer not to seek any assistance.

Luckily, there are several programs that provide support to the LGBTQ community by focusing on the isolation the may experience, the long term effects of living as a "closeted" person, or being discriminated against.

LGBTQ specific rehabilitation centres can identify any additional mental health problems which will lead to a greater chance of recovery. Going back to the drug is possible if what triggers it are not addressed.

Acquire The Help You Need

The challenging situations that are responsible for the reliance as well as the number of LGBTQs that are addicted to one substance or the order give people much to think about.

Through getting in a rehab base that particularizes in LGBTQ dependence and treatment, you will feel like a section of the majority instead of the minority and be encircled by people that can offer help and advice.

Get in touch with us on 0800 772 3971 if you or a loved one is trying to overcome addiction.